PCB Chairman Naqvi Appointed Federal Minister, Retains PCB Role

PCB Chairman Naqvi Appointed Federal Minister, Retains PCB Role

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Appointed Federal Minister, Retains PCB Role

Mohsin Naqvi, the newly elected chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has been appointed as the Federal Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control. This unprecedented move has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and the impact on the governance of Pakistan cricket.

Naqvi, who was elected PCB chairman last month, has stated that he will continue to hold both positions concurrently. This is not the first time he has juggled political and cricketing responsibilities. Last month, he was serving as the caretaker chief minister of Punjab while also being elected PCB chairman.

The PCB has defended Naqvi’s dual role, arguing that it does not violate the board’s constitution. The PCB election commissioner has stated that the board’s rules prohibit a chairman from holding an “office of profit” concurrently, but Naqvi has said he will not draw a salary from his role at the Interior Ministry.

However, the dual role has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Naqvi has previously stated that he does not want politics to seep into cricket, but his appointment as a federal minister could make it difficult to maintain that separation.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has historically taken a dim view of political interference in cricket, but it has only intervened sporadically. There is precedent for board chairs holding ministries elsewhere in the subcontinent, such as Sharad Pawar serving as BCCI president while also being India’s Minister for Agriculture.

The ICC has stated that it requires a complaining party to assess whether political interference has occurred at a cricket board. In the past, it has suspended Zimbabwe Cricket and Sri Lanka Cricket for brief periods due to political interference.

It remains to be seen how Naqvi’s dual role will impact the governance of Pakistan cricket. The PCB has expressed confidence that there will be no violation of its constitution, but the potential for conflicts of interest and political influence remains a concern.

PCB Chief Seeks India's Assurance for Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan

PCB Chief Seeks India’s Assurance for Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan

Newly appointed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi is set to embark on a diplomatic mission at the upcoming ICC meeting in Dubai next week. His primary objective is to secure assurances from BCCI secretary Jay Shah regarding India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled to be held in Pakistan.

However, the PCB’s hopes of a swift resolution may be tempered by the fact that the tournament is still nearly a year away. The BCCI is unlikely to make any immediate commitments, given the political sensitivities surrounding India’s travel to Pakistan.

Naqvi is expected to engage in discussions with key ICC figures and Jay Shah on the matter. He will emphasize the importance of India’s participation in promoting the tournament and fostering goodwill between the two cricketing nations.

The PCB is particularly concerned about a repeat of the “Hybrid Model” used in last year’s Asia Cup, where Pakistan hosted only four games while the rest were held in Sri Lanka due to India’s reluctance to send its team to Pakistan.

Naqvi will attempt to convince the BCCI that Pakistan has made significant progress in upgrading its stadiums and security infrastructure, ensuring a safe and secure environment for visiting teams. He will also highlight the fact that Pakistan has consistently traveled to India for ICC events in recent years.

The BCCI, however, remains cautious. A source within the board stated that any decision on India’s participation in the Champions Trophy 2025 will ultimately depend on the Indian government’s clearance, which is unlikely to be granted until closer to the tournament date.

Naqvi’s efforts in Dubai will be a crucial step in building trust and laying the groundwork for India’s potential participation in the Champions Trophy 2025. However, the outcome of these discussions will likely hinge on the political climate and the Indian government’s stance on the matter.

Inzamam Slams PCB for Targeting Hafeez, Calls for Respect for Former Players

Inzamam Slams PCB for Targeting Hafeez, Calls for Respect for Former Players

Mohammad Hafeez’s removal as Pakistan’s Team Director has sparked controversy, with former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq criticizing the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for unfairly targeting former players.

Hafeez was dismissed last month following Pakistan’s poor performances in the T20 International series against New Zealand and the Test series in Australia. However, Inzamam questioned why Wahab Riaz, the chief selector, was not held accountable for the team’s failures.

“Can someone explain the reasoning behind removing Muhammad Hafeez as team director but retaining Wahab Riaz as chief selector after the Australian and New Zealand tours?” Inzamam said on a TV show. “Weren’t both appointed at the same time and given the same responsibilities?”

Inzamam also urged the PCB to show more respect to former players. He recalled an incident during his tenure as chief selector when he was allegedly disrespected by former PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf.

“The PCB Chairman no doubt is a highly respectable position, but don’t former captains and stalwarts deserve the same amount of respect from the top board officials?” Inzamam said.

Inzamam also criticized the PCB for not releasing the findings of the inquiry committee that investigated his alleged conflict of interest.

“Pakistan cricket cannot be run in this manner,” he said. “It is time the board officials also accepted responsibility for their actions.”

Inzamam added that he had never wanted to take over as chief selector before the Asia Cup last year, as the previous selection committee had already picked the squad.

PCB's Handling of Haris Rauf's Contract Termination Draws Fire from Qalandars Owner

PCB’s Handling of Haris Rauf’s Contract Termination Draws Fire from Qalandars Owner

Lahore Qalandars’ owner Sameen Rana has vehemently criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of Haris Rauf’s central contract termination, which was announced just two days before the start of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Rana condemned the timing of the decision as “pathetic” and accused the PCB of “really poor management.”

Rana expressed his dismay at the lack of communication with Rauf, stating that the player was not given proper notice or explanation for the termination of his contract. He emphasized that such a public humiliation was unprecedented and disrespectful.

The decision came after Rauf made himself unavailable for Pakistan’s Test series in Australia, a move that drew criticism from chief selector Wahab Riaz. However, Rana questioned the timing of the announcement, arguing that it was unnecessary and disruptive to Qalandars’ PSL campaign.

Rana highlighted the impact of the decision on Qalandars, who have struggled in the tournament due to injuries, unavailability, and poor performances. He expressed concern that Rauf’s psychological state was affected by the termination, which coincided with his search for form.

Rana also revealed that Rauf suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Qalandars against Karachi Kings, which is expected to sideline him for six weeks. He lamented the additional burden placed on the team to motivate Rauf and keep him focused.

Rana’s criticism reflects the growing frustration within the Qalandars camp over the PCB’s handling of the situation. The team has been left reeling from the loss of their premier fast bowler and the negative impact it has had on their PSL campaign.

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